Red Cross says blood donors in high demand

The Red Cross is experiencing a shortage of blood and platelets, and the charitable organization has issued an emergency appeal for donors, especially those with O-negative, B-negative and A-negative blood types.

Donors by the dozen answered the call from the Red Cross at a blood drive in Norwich on Thursday.

The Red Cross is experiencing a shortage of blood and platelets, and the charitable organization has issued an emergency appeal for donors, especially those with O-negative, B-negative and A-negative blood types.

There is also a critical need for platelet donations, the Red Cross said. Platelets — a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients — must be transfused within five days of donation, so it’s important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

Blood drives are held every Monday and Thursday at the Red Cross office on Salem Turnpike in Norwich. On Thursday, 29 people made appointments to give blood, and another nine had walked in during the first 90 minutes.

June Graham, of Bozrah, said she regularly donates blood in memory of her brother-in-law, a retired Marine and Vietnam War veteran. Alan Graham developed a blood disorder as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during the war, Graham said.

“He had 67 blood transfusions before he passed on,” she said. “I wanted to give back for him.”

“I try to donate blood regularly,” Lynn Johnson, of Preston, said. She was alerted to the need for blood by an article in the newspaper, she said, so she came to the Norwich office on Thursday. “It’s not a big deal to donate. It’s very easy.”

Duane Donovan, of Norwich, said he was buying a taco Thursday afternoon at a fast-food restaurant that shares the parking lot of the Red Cross office and saw a sign asking for emergency blood donations.

“It’s good to give,” he said. “You know, you help. I am my brother’s keeper.”

As a nurse at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Karen King, of Ledyard, said she knows how important blood donations are.

“I decided the next time I’m off on a Monday or Thursday, I’ll give blood,” she said.

King said she donates blood three or four times a year.

“People need blood, and it’s something I can do that doesn’t hurt me any,” she said.

Giving blood takes about a half-hour, plus whatever waiting time it takes to get a seat, donors said.

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down about 10 percent in June, a shortfall of about 50,000 donations.

Donations usually drop in the summer, because schools are not in session. High school and college blood drives account for 20 percent of Red Cross donations during the school year, spokeswoman Jecoliah Ellis said.

“We’re asking for the public’s help now,” Ellis said. “Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for patients in need.”